Scouting the chick with the crazies - Saturday 9-2

[drumking]

I was studing the map of Chickamauga a little while ago and saw a place in an area that I fish close to and had never noticed it on the map before. Just like Cheez who had an itch to get slimed yesterday morning, I have had this awful itch to Crappie fish. I haven't fished for Crappie for well over a month. So, I combined a short scouting trip with about 30 minutes of fishing time.

I didn't find the structure that I saw on the map, but I did stumble onto a structure that isn't shown on the map and it has my blood boiling. I think that it will be a terrific Crappie and bass producing place. Especially when I get through putting some breaks on the structure. I'll do that when nobody is looking.emoBigsmile emoBigsmile

Results of a little bit of not so serious Crappie fishing. 2 Crappie just under 10" and 1 small largemouth bass. BTW, these fish didn't come off the newly found structure. Too many skiers, wave runners, cruisers, etc bouncing me all over the water while I scanned the structure with my electronics. Fall and spring Crappie fishing should be great in this spot. The Crappie was caught in 12 feet of water suspended over 26 feet of water and over the top of a huge blowdown that has about 14 feet of water over the top of the tree.

 

[fisherpal2k]

Drumking it sounds like you may be onto something there. If you can add a little to the place without anyone noticing then you will have a secret honey hole right out in the wide open. emoLaugh I am gonna try to go do a little scouting next week sometime if I can get the lawn mowed and all my honey-do's done up.

 

[drumking]

Fisherpal, I'll put something in that place around daylight some morning. It is offshore a ways.

 

[jwateacher3]

I have been getting the itch for crappie fishing but the is water still to hot where I am usuall able to catch crappie. Are you going to wait to for the draw down to put in your breaks?

 

[polo-dog]

Ok you guys, I need a translation here. What are you referring to as a "break"? Thanks.

 

[drumking]

polo-dog - 9/3/2006 9:50 AM

Ok you guys, I need a translation here. What are you referring to as a "break"? Thanks.

Polo, Buck Perry coined the word Structure as it refers to fishing. Most fishermen that I know that talk about structure are really talking about breaks on structure. Buck Perry's definition of the word structure: a sudden change in the bottom depth. (whether it occurs at 3 feet or 15 feet or 40 feet)

The definition of a "break" on structure is any object that is on the structure such as a stump, rockpile, weed patch, sandy spot, manmade objects, etc. Something that causes a fish to pause in its migration to the shallows to feed.

For instance, let's say that you are motoring along on a gradually sloping flat and the depths are gently increasing until suddenly you see a sharp drop in depth. That would be what is considered structure. That drop might only be a few feet or it could be a ledge along a bluff. That sudden change in depth is what Buck Perry calls structure. Anything on that structure that you could see like a rockpile, stump, brushpile, stake bed, would be a "break". Hope this clears this up for you.emoGeezer

 

[drumking]

jwateacher3 - 9/3/2006 9:47 AM

I have been getting the itch for crappie fishing but the is water still to hot where I am usuall able to catch crappie. Are you going to wait to for the draw down to put in your breaks?

Not necessarily Jerry. Just looking for some time. I'm pretty busy right now getting ready for 3 big meetings in the next month or so. Have to squeeze in my time on the water right now and also I'm in the process of determining what I want to put down there and how many etc. I'll probably put down something that will be permanent and not something that will rot away in a few years. Haven't decided on that one yet.emoAngel emoGeezer

 

[Zunker]

What is the regulations about putting out artificial structure or breaks?

 

[drumking]

Zunker - 9/3/2006 2:37 PM

What is the regulations about putting out artificial structure or breaks?

As long as you don't interfere with navigation channels, it is encouraged. The TWRA puts out stuff all the time and encourages fishermen to do the same. Don't put out a stake bed that would only have 1 or 2 feet of water over it. A skier might accidently fall on it and get impaled. If we use a little common sense, then it will be safe and the fish will thank us for it. Load up some of those places with christmas trees, brush, and artificial trees.emoGeezer

 

[Guest]

Zunker - 9/3/2006 2:37 PM

What is the regulations about putting out artificial structure or breaks?

Hey Zunker see page 8 of the TWRA fishing regulations. Sorry I still don't know how to post a link yet

Cheez

 

[JerDog]

I have been reading alot of stuff on Buck Perry and he is "the man." He really knew his stuff and pioneered many of the fishing tactics and terms we use today. I recommend reading some of his books and articles. He breaks it down and makes fishing simple yet effective by systematically breaking down water and finding fish.